JP7067186B2 - Ink absorber - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink absorber.

In an inkjet printer, waste ink is usually generated during a head cleaning operation performed to prevent deterioration of print quality due to ink clogging and an ink filling operation after replacing an ink cartridge. Therefore, in order to prevent such waste ink from unintentionally adhering to the mechanism inside the printer, a liquid absorber (ink absorber) that absorbs the waste ink is provided.

Conventionally, as a liquid absorber (ink absorber), one containing natural cellulose fibers and / or synthetic fibers and a heat-fusing substance has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, the liquid absorber is generally installed in an inkjet printer in a state of being housed in a hard container. When the liquid absorber thus stored in the container reaches the ink absorption limit, it is preferable to replace it with a new unused liquid absorber.

However, when actually trying to replace it, the replacement work was difficult because the container containing the liquid absorber was difficult to open and the liquid absorber was difficult to be taken out from the container.

Japanese Patent No. 3536870

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink absorber capable of easily replacing a used ink absorber with a new unused ink absorber.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following.

The ink absorber of the present invention includes an ink absorber capable of absorbing ink and an ink absorber.
A storage unit for storing the ink absorber and
It is characterized by including a detaching structure portion for detaching the ink absorber from the accommodating portion.

As a result, when the ink absorber wants to replace the used ink absorber that has reached the ink absorption limit with a new unused ink absorber, the detached structure portion stores the used ink absorber. It can be easily separated from the part and collected. Then, an unused ink absorber can be stored in the empty storage portion, and the ink absorber can be reused. As described above, the ink absorber can easily replace the ink absorber, and thus the workability thereof can be improved.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the storage portion has a bottom portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom portion.
An inclined surface inclined with respect to the bottom portion is formed inside the side wall portion.
It is preferable that the detached structure portion is composed of the inclined surface.

As a result, for example, when it is desired to replace a used ink absorber that has reached the ink absorption limit with a new unused ink absorber, the replacement work can be easily performed, and thus the workability is improved. improves.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the storage portion has a bottom portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom portion.
The detached structure portion is preferably provided inside the side wall portion and is preferably composed of a low friction layer that reduces friction with the ink absorber when the ink absorber is detached from the accommodating portion.

As a result, the ink absorber can be easily detached from the storage portion, and thus a new ink absorber can be easily replaced thereafter.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, it is preferable that the detached structure portion is configured so that the absorber can be detached from the accommodating portion so that the ink can be recovered.

As a result, the ink absorber can be easily detached and recovered from the storage portion, and thus a new ink absorber can be easily replaced thereafter.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the detached structure portion is connected to the mounting portion on which the ink absorber is placed and the previously described mounting portion, and is gripped when the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion. When the ink absorber is detached from the accommodating portion, it is preferable that the ink absorber is detached from the accommodating portion together with the ink absorber.

As a result, when the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion, the detaching structure portion can be detached from the storage portion together with the ink absorber by grasping the grip portion and pulling it upward as it is. As a result, the ink absorber can be easily replaced.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the ink absorber shrinks as the water content decreases.
The grip portion is inserted into the ink absorber and is in contact with the ink absorber, and in a state before the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion, the inside of the storage portion due to shrinkage of the ink absorber. It is preferable to have a function of suppressing the movement in the ink.

As a result, the ink absorber can continue to be located at the ink dropping position even if it shrinks, so that the ink can be absorbed quickly and sufficiently.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the grip portion is inserted into the ink absorber and is in contact with the ink absorber, and in a state before the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion, the ink is sucked. It is preferable to have a liquid-conducting function that leads to the ink absorber.

As a result, the ink can be sufficiently absorbed to the inner side of the ink absorber, and thus the ink absorbing function of the ink absorber can be exhibited in just proportion over a long period of time.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the storage portion has an ink supply port for supplying the ink inside.
The grip portion has a tubular shape, and is located in the storage space in a state before the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion, and the ink supplied into the storage space is applied to the bottom of the storage portion. It is preferable to use a liquid guide tube that forms a lead liquid guide space.

As a result, the ink supplied into the storage portion passes through the liquid guide tube, that is, the liquid guide space, and is quickly and smoothly guided to the inner side of the storage portion.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, it is preferable that a communication portion that communicates the liquid guide space and the storage space is formed on the tube wall of the liquid guide tube.

As a result, for example, when the ink temporarily stays in the liquid guide space, the stayed portion is absorbed by the ink absorber via the communication portion. This makes it possible to suppress the retention of ink in the liquid guide space, and thus enable quick and sufficient absorption of ink.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, the detached structure portion has an inner storage portion that is stored in the storage portion together with the ink absorber in a state where the ink absorber is stored.
It is preferable that the inner accommodating portion is detached from the accommodating portion together with the ink absorber when the ink absorber is detached from the accommodating portion.

As a result, when the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion, the inner storage portion can be detached from the storage portion together with the ink absorber by grasping the inner storage portion and pulling it upward as it is. As a result, the ink absorber can be easily replaced.

The ink absorber of the present invention includes an ink absorber capable of absorbing ink and an ink absorber.
A storage unit for storing the ink absorber and
When the ink absorber is taken out from the storage part, it is characterized by including an auxiliary structure part that assists in taking out the ink absorber.

As a result, when the ink absorber wants to replace the used ink absorber that has reached the ink absorption limit with a new unused ink absorber, the auxiliary structure portion stores the used ink absorber. It can be easily taken out from the part. Then, an unused ink absorber can be stored in the empty storage portion, and the ink absorber can be reused. As described above, the ink absorber can easily replace the ink absorber, and thus the workability thereof can be improved.

In the ink absorber of the present invention, it is preferable that the ink absorber contains a water-absorbent resin.
As a result, the ink can be sufficiently absorbed.

FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a usage state (one example) of the ink absorber (first embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a process of exchanging ink absorbers in the ink absorber shown in FIG. 1 in order. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a process of exchanging ink absorbers in the ink absorber shown in FIG. 1 in order. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a process of exchanging ink absorbers in the ink absorber shown in FIG. 1 in order. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a process of exchanging ink absorbers in the ink absorber shown in FIG. 1 in order. FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of an ink absorber included in the ink absorber shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of an ink absorber included in the ink absorber (second embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the ink absorber (third embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fifth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fifth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the state of use of the ink absorber (fifth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the state of use of the ink absorber (sixth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (sixth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. FIG. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (sixth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber. 21 is an enlarged detailed view of an ink absorber included in the ink absorbers shown in FIGS. 18 to 20.

Hereinafter, the ink absorber of the present invention will be described in detail based on the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view showing a usage state (example) of the ink absorber (first embodiment) of the present invention. 2 to 5 are vertical cross-sectional views showing in order the process of exchanging the ink absorber in the ink absorber shown in FIG. 1, respectively. FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of an ink absorber included in the ink absorber shown in FIG. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIGS. 1 to 6 (the same applies to FIGS. 7 to 20) is referred to as "upper (or upper)", and the lower side is referred to as "lower (or lower)".

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink absorber 1 of the present invention includes an ink absorber 10 capable of absorbing ink Q, a container body 9 as a storage unit for storing the ink absorber 10, and a container body 9 (storage unit). ), A detachment structure portion 7 for detaching the ink absorber 10 from the ink absorber 10 is provided.

Further, the ink absorber 1 of the present invention includes an ink absorber 10 capable of absorbing ink Q, a container body 9 as a storage unit for storing the ink absorber 10, and an ink absorber from the container body 9 (storage unit). An auxiliary structure portion 7'that assists in taking out the ink absorber 10 when taking out (separating) the ink 10 is provided.

According to the present invention, as will be described later, the ink absorber 1 wants to replace the used ink absorber 10 that has reached the absorption limit of ink Q with a new unused ink absorber 10. In this case, the used ink absorber 10 can be easily detached from the container body 9 by the detaching structure portion 7 (auxiliary structure portion 7'). Then, the unused ink absorber 10 can be stored in the empty container body 9, and the ink absorber 1 can be reused. As described above, the ink absorber 1 can easily replace the ink absorber 10, and thus the workability thereof can be improved.

The term "water absorption" as used herein means not only absorbing water-based ink in which a coloring material is dissolved in a water-based solvent, but also in solvent-based ink in which a binder is dissolved in a solvent or in a liquid monomer that is cured by UV irradiation. It refers to absorbing all inks such as UV curable ink in which a binder is dissolved and latex ink in which a binder is dispersed in a dispersion medium.

The printing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an inkjet color printer. The printing device 200 includes an ink ejection head 201 that ejects ink Q, a capping unit 202 that prevents clogging of the nozzle 201a of the ink ejection head 201, and a tube 203 that connects the capping unit 202 and the ink absorber 1. , A roller pump 204 that sends ink Q from the capping unit 202 to the ink absorber 1 is provided.

The ink ejection head 201 has a plurality of nozzles 201a that eject ink Q downward. The ink ejection head 201 can eject ink Q and perform printing while moving with respect to a recording medium (not shown) such as a PPC sheet (drawn by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). Ink ejection head 201).

When the ink ejection head 201 is in the standby position, the capping unit 202 sucks each nozzle 201a collectively by the operation of the roller pump 204 to prevent the nozzle 201a from being clogged.

In the tube 203, the ink Q sucked through the capping unit 202 passes toward the ink absorber 1. The tube 203 has flexibility.

The roller pump 204 is arranged in the middle of the tube 203, and has a holding portion 204b that sandwiches the middle of the tube 203 between the roller portion 204a and the roller portion 204a. As the roller portion 204a rotates, a suction force is generated in the capping unit 202 via the tube 203. Then, as the roller portion 204a continues to rotate, the ink Q adhering to the nozzle 201a can be sent to the ink absorber 1. Then, this ink Q is absorbed by the ink absorber 1 as a waste liquid. Ink Q includes inks of various colors.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink absorber 1 includes an ink absorber 10 housed in a container body 9. The ink absorber 1 is detachably attached to the printing apparatus 200, and is used for absorbing the waste liquid of the ink Q in the attached state. In this way, the ink absorber 1 can be used as a so-called "waste liquid tank (waste ink tank)". Then, when the amount of ink Q absorbed by the ink absorber 10 reaches the limit, the ink absorber 10 can be replaced with a new (unused) ink absorber 10. Whether or not the amount of ink Q absorbed by the ink absorber 10 has reached the limit is detected by a detection unit (not shown) in the printing apparatus 200. When the amount of ink Q absorbed by the ink absorber 10 reaches the limit, for example, a notification unit such as a monitor built in the printing apparatus 200 notifies that fact.

The ink absorber 10 is used for absorbing ink Q in the container body 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink absorber 10 has a sheet shape and is stored in the storage space 93 of the container main body 9 in a state where a plurality of ink absorbers are stacked. As a result, the absorption performance of the ink absorber 1 for absorbing the ink Q is increased by the number of the ink absorbers 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink absorber 10 includes a sheet-shaped fiber base material 230 made of fibers 20 and a water-absorbent resin 30 attached (supported) to the fiber base material 230. As a result, the ink Q can be sufficiently absorbed.

The water-absorbent resin 30 is attached to at least one surface side of the fiber base material 230 (the front surface 210 and the back surface 220 in the configuration shown in FIG. 6). As a result, regardless of whether the ink Q reaches the front surface 210 side or the back surface 220 side of each ink absorber 10, the ink Q can be absorbed by the water-absorbent resin 30. Further, since the water-absorbent resin 30 is exposed to the fiber base material 230, the water-absorbent resin 30 can quickly absorb the ink Q.

The water-absorbent resin 30 preferably has the same amount of the water-absorbent resin 30 adhered to the front surface 210 side and the back surface 220 side, but may be different.

Further, the water-absorbent resin 30 is preferably uniformly arranged and dispersed on either the front surface 210 side or the back surface 220 side, but the degree of dispersion may be sparse and dense.

Further, it is more preferable that the degree of dispersion of the water-absorbent resin 30 on the front surface 210 side and the degree of dispersion of the water-absorbent resin 30 on the back surface 220 side are the same, but even if they are different. good.

Further, when the ink Q is applied to the ink absorber 10 by the fiber 20, the fiber 20 temporarily holds the ink Q, and then the water-absorbent resin 30 can efficiently feed the ink Q, so that the entire ink absorber 10 can be fed. The absorption characteristics of the ink Q can be improved. Further, in general, fibers such as cellulose fibers (particularly, fibers derived from used paper) are cheaper than the water-absorbent resin 30, and are advantageous from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost of the ink absorber 10. Further, as the fiber 20, a fiber derived from used paper can be preferably used, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of waste reduction, effective utilization of resources, and the like.

Examples of the fiber 20 include synthetic resin fibers such as polyester fibers and polyamide fibers; natural resin fibers such as cellulose fibers, keratin fibers and fibroin fibers, and chemical modifications thereof, which may be used alone or appropriately mixed. Although it can be used, it is preferable that cellulose fibers are mainly used, and it is more preferable that almost all of them are cellulose fibers.

Since cellulose is a material having suitable hydrophilicity, when ink Q is applied to the ink absorber 10, the ink Q can be suitably taken in, and the fluidity is particularly high (for example, the viscosity is high). The ink Q (in a state of 10 mPa · s or less) can be quickly removed, and the ink Q once taken in can be suitably sent to the water-absorbent resin 30. As a result, the absorption characteristics of the ink Q as a whole of the ink absorber 10 can be made particularly excellent. Further, since cellulose generally has a high affinity with the water-absorbent resin 30, the water-absorbent resin 30 can be more preferably supported on the surface of the fiber 20. Cellulose fiber is a renewable natural material, and among various fibers, it is inexpensive and easily available. Therefore, from the viewpoints of reduction of production cost, stable production, reduction of environmental load, etc. of the ink absorber 10. Is also advantageous.

In the present specification, the cellulose fiber may be any fiber having cellulose as a compound (cellulose in a narrow sense) as a main component, and includes hemicellulose and lignin in addition to cellulose (cellulose in a narrow sense). It may be a thing.

Further, in the ink absorber 10, the fiber 20 may be contained in a cotton shape, for example, or may be formed into a sheet shape, a strip shape, a small piece shape, or the like.

As the raw material of the fiber 20, for example, used paper may be used. As a result, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained, and it is also preferable from the viewpoint of resource saving. When used paper is used as a raw material for the fiber 20, the used paper may be used as it is, or a crushed product that has been crushed or a crushed product that has been deflated may be used.

The average length of the fiber 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 7 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. ..

The average width (diameter) of the fiber 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and more preferably 1.0 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

The average aspect ratio (ratio of the average length to the average width) of the fiber 20 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 or more and 1000 or less, and more preferably 15 or more and 500 or less.

With the above numerical range, the water-absorbent resin 30 can be supported, the ink Q can be held by the fibers 20, and the ink Q can be more preferably fed to the water-absorbent resin 30, and the ink absorber 10 as a whole can be used as a whole. The ink absorption characteristics of the ink can be improved.

The water-absorbent resin 30 may be any resin having water absorbency, and is not particularly limited. For example, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, and starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer. Hydrolyzes, vinyl acetate-acrylic acid ester copolymers, copolymers of isobutylene and maleic acid, etc., hydrolysates of acrylonitrile copolymers and acrylamide copolymers, polyethylene oxide, polysulphonic acid compounds, polyglutamic acid , These salts (neutralized products), cross-linked products, and the like. Here, the water absorption refers to a function of having hydrophilicity and retaining water. Many of the water-absorbent resins 30 gel when they absorb water.

Among them, the water-absorbent resin 30 is preferably a resin having a functional group in the side chain. Examples of the functional group include an acid group, a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, an amino group and the like.

In particular, the water-absorbent resin 30 is preferably a resin having an acid group in the side chain, and more preferably a resin having a carboxyl group in the side chain.

Examples of the carboxyl group-containing unit constituting the water-absorbent resin 30 include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, sorbic acid, silicic acid, anhydrides thereof, salts and the like. Examples include those derived from monomers.

When the water-absorbent resin 30 having an acid group is contained in the side chain, the proportion of the acid groups contained in the water-absorbent resin 30 that are neutralized to form a salt is 30 mol% or more and 100 mol% or less. It is preferably 50 mol% or more and 95 mol% or less, more preferably 60 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less, and most preferably 70 mol% or more and 80 mol% or less. As a result, the absorbency of the ink Q by the water-absorbent resin 30 (ink absorber 10) can be made more excellent.

The type of the neutralizing salt is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include alkali metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt and lithium salt, and salts of nitrogen-containing basic substances such as ammonia, but sodium salts are preferable. As a result, the absorbency of the ink Q by the water-absorbent resin 30 (ink absorber 10) can be made more excellent.

The water-absorbent resin 30 having an acid group in the side chain is preferable because electrostatic repulsion between the acid groups occurs during ink absorption and the absorption rate becomes high. Further, when the acid group is neutralized, the ink Q is easily absorbed into the water-absorbent resin 30 due to the osmotic pressure.

The water-absorbent resin 30 may have a structural unit that does not contain an acid group, and such a structural unit includes, for example, a hydrophilic structural unit, a hydrophobic structural unit, and a polymerizable cross-linking agent. Examples include the structural unit.

Examples of the hydrophilic constituent unit include acrylamide, metaacrylamide, N-ethyl (meth) acrylamide, Nn-propyl (meth) acrylamide, N-isopropyl (meth) acrylamide, and N, N-dimethyl (meth). Acrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl (meth) acrylate, methoxypolyethylene glycol (meth) acrylite, polyethylene glycol mono (meth) acrylate, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-acryloylpiperidin, N-acrylloylpyrrolidin. Examples thereof include structural units derived from nonionic compounds such as.

The hydrophobic constituent unit is, for example, a constituent unit derived from a compound such as (meth) acrylonitrile, styrene, vinyl chloride, butadiene, isobutene, ethylene, propylene, stearyl (meth) acrylate, and lauryl (meth) acrylate. And so on.

Examples of the structural unit serving as the polymerizable cross-linking agent include diethylene glycol diacrylate, N, N'-methylenebisacrylamide, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylol propanediallyl ether, trimethylol propanetriacrylate, and allyl. Examples thereof include structural units derived from glycidyl ether, pentaerythritol triallyl ether, pentaerythritol diacrylate monostearate, bisphenol diacrylate, isocyanuric acid diacrylate, tetraallyloxyethane, diallyloxyacetate and the like.

The water-absorbent resin 30 preferably contains a polyacrylate copolymer or a polyacrylic acid polymerized crosslinked product. This has advantages such as improvement in absorption performance for ink Q and reduction in manufacturing cost.

As the polyacrylic acid polymerization crosslinked product, the ratio of the structural unit having a carboxyl group to all the structural units constituting the molecular chain is preferably 50 mol% or more, more preferably 80 mol% or more, and 90 mol% or more. The one is more preferable.

If the proportion of the structural unit containing the carboxyl group is too small, it may be difficult to sufficiently improve the absorption performance of the ink Q.

It is preferable that the carboxyl group in the polyacrylic acid polymerization crosslinked product is partially neutralized (partially neutralized) to form a salt.

The proportion of the neutralized group in the total carboxyl groups in the polyacrylic acid polymerized crosslinked product is preferably 30 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less, more preferably 50 mol% or more and 99 mol% or less, and 70 mol% or less. It is more preferably 99 mol% or less.

Further, the water-absorbent resin 30 may have a structure crosslinked with a cross-linking agent other than the above-mentioned polymerizable cross-linking agent.

When the water-absorbent resin 30 is a resin having an acid group, for example, a compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with the acid group can be preferably used as the cross-linking agent.

When the water-absorbent resin 30 is a resin having a functional group that reacts with an acid group, a compound having a plurality of functional groups that react with the acid group in the molecule can be preferably used as the cross-linking agent.

Examples of the compound (crosslinking agent) having a plurality of functional groups that react with an acid group include ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, (poly) glycerin polyglycidyl ether, diglycerin polyglycidyl ether, and propylene glycol. Glycidyl ether compounds such as diglycidyl ether; (poly) glycerin, (poly) ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, polyoxyethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and the like. Polyhydric alcohols; Examples thereof include polyhydric amines such as ethylene diamine, diethylene diamine, polyethylene imine, and hexamethylene diamine. Further, polyvalent ions such as zinc, calcium, magnesium and aluminum can also be suitably used because they react with the acid group of the water-absorbent resin 30 and function as a cross-linking agent.

The water-absorbent resin 30 may have any shape such as, for example, scale-like, needle-like, fibrous, particle-like, etc., but is preferably particulate-like. When the water-absorbent resin 30 is in the form of particles, the permeability of the ink Q can be easily ensured. Further, the water-absorbent resin 30 can be suitably supported on the fiber base material 230 (fiber 20). The average particle size of the particles is preferably 15 μm or more and 800 μm or less, more preferably 15 μm or more and 400 μm or less, and further preferably 15 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

As the average particle size of the particles, for example, a volume average particle size MVD (Mean Volume Diameter) measured by a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring device can be used. A particle size distribution measuring device based on a laser diffraction / scattering method, that is, a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring device can measure a particle size distribution on a volume basis.

Further, the water-absorbent resin 3 with respect to the fiber base material 2 is preferably more than 5% by weight and 90% by weight or less, more preferably 20% by weight or more and 70% by weight or less, and 40% by weight or more and 55% by weight. It is more preferably% or less.

Further, when the average particle size of the water-absorbent resin 3 is D [μm] and the average length of the fibers is L [μm], it is preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.15 ≦ L / D ≦ 467. It is more preferable to satisfy the relationship of 0.25 ≦ L / D ≦ 333, and further preferably to satisfy the relationship of 2 ≦ L / D ≦ 200.

Further, the ink absorber 10 may contain components (other components) other than those described above. Examples of such components include surfactants, lubricants, defoamers, fillers, blocking inhibitors, ultraviolet absorbers, pigments, colorants such as dyes, flame retardants, fluidity improvers and the like.

The shape of the ink absorber 10 having the above configuration in a plan view is preferably, but is not limited to, a rectangular shape (for example, a rectangular shape) in the present embodiment.

Further, the ink absorber 10 may have an intermediate layer provided between the fiber base material 230 and the water-absorbent resin 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink absorber 10 is formed with a plurality of through holes 240 penetrating in the thickness direction thereof. The ink Q can pass through each through hole 240, that is, the liquid permeability of the ink Q can be ensured. This prevents the ink Q flowing downward in the container body 9 from being blocked by the ink absorber 10 on the way, and thus can penetrate to the back (bottom 91) of the container body 9. As a result, each ink absorber 10 can absorb the ink Q in just proportion and retain it for a long period of time.

The diameter of the through hole 240 is not particularly limited, and is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

Further, the arrangement density of the through holes 240 may be uniform or may change along the surface direction of the ink absorber 10. Further, the through hole 240 may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ink absorber 1 includes a container body 9 having a storage space 93 for storing the ink absorber 10, a lid 8 detachably attached to the container body 9, and a container body 9 (storage). A detachment structure portion 7 for detaching the ink absorber 10 from the portion) is provided.

The container main body 9 is a box having, for example, a square-shaped bottom portion (bottom plate) 91 in a plan view, and four side wall portions 92 erected from each side (edge portion) of the bottom portion 91. It is a shape. Then, the ink absorber 10 can be stored in the storage space 93 surrounded by the bottom portion 91 and the four side wall portions 92.

The container body 9 is not limited to the one having a bottom portion 91 having a square shape in a plan view, and may have, for example, a bottom portion 91 having a circular shape in a plan view and may be entirely cylindrical. ..

Further, when the volume of the container body 9 (storage space 93) is V1 and the total volume of the ink absorber 10 before absorbing the ink Q (before water absorption) is V2, the ratio V2 / V1 of V1 and V2 is. It is preferably 0.1 or more and 0.7 or less, and more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.7 or less (see FIG. 1). As a result, in the container body 9, a gap 95 is created on the upper side of the ink absorber 10. The ink absorber 10 once expands (swells) after absorbing the ink Q. The void 95 serves as a buffer when the ink absorber 10 expands, so that the ink absorber 10 can sufficiently absorb the ink Q.

In the present embodiment, the container body 9 is rigid, that is, has a shape retention property such that the volume V1 does not change by, for example, 10% or more when an internal pressure or an external force acts on the container body 9. .. As a result, the container body 9 can maintain the shape of the container body 9 itself even if the ink absorber 10 absorbs the ink Q and then expands and receives the force from the ink absorber 10 from the inside. .. As a result, the installation state of the container body 9 in the printing apparatus 200 is stable, and the ink absorber 10 can stably absorb the ink Q.

As long as the container body 9 is made of a material that does not allow ink Q to pass through, the constituent material is not particularly limited. As the constituent material of such a container body 9, various resin materials such as cyclic polyolefin and polycarbonate can be used. Further, as the constituent material of the container body 9, in addition to the various resin materials, various metal materials such as aluminum and stainless steel can be used.

The container body 9 is not limited to a hard one, but has a flexibility (soft one), that is, when an internal pressure or an external force acts on the container body 9, the volume V1 changes by 10% or more. It may be a thing.

Further, the container body 9 may be either transparent (including translucent) having internal visibility or opaque.

Further, in the storage space 93, a plurality of ink absorbers 10 are laid down and stacked with respect to the bottom portion 91, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of ink absorbers 10 may stand up against the bottom 91, or a prone ink absorber 10 and an upright ink absorber 10 may coexist.

As described above, the ink absorber 1 includes a lid 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 8 has a plate shape and can be fitted (lightly fitted) to the upper opening 94 of the container body 9. By this fitting, the upper opening 94 can be liquid-tightly sealed. Thereby, for example, when the ink Q is ejected from the tube 203 and dropped, even if the ink Q collides with the ink absorber 10 and jumps up, it is possible to prevent the ink Q from scattering to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ink Q from adhering to the periphery of the ink absorber 1 and becoming dirty.

A tube 203 is connected to the central portion of the lid 8, and an ink supply port (connection port) 81 for supplying ink Q is formed in the storage space 93. The ink supply port 81 is composed of a through hole that penetrates the lid 8 in the thickness direction. Then, the downstream end (lower end) of the tube 203 can be inserted and connected to the ink supply port 81 (through hole). Further, at this time, the discharge port (opening) 203a of the tube 203 faces downward. The ink supply port 81 may be formed at a position deviated from the central portion of the lid 8.

Further, the lid 8 may have an absorbent property of absorbing the ink Q, or may have a liquid repellent property of repelling the ink Q.

The thickness of the lid 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The lid 8 is not limited to the one having a plate shape in such a numerical range, and may be a thin film-shaped (sheet-shaped) one. In this case, the thickness of the lid 8 is not particularly limited, and is preferably 10 μm or more and less than 1 mm, for example.

As described above, the container main body 9 (storage portion) has a bottom portion 91 and four side wall portions 92 erected from the bottom portion 91. An inclined surface (tapered surface) 921 inclined with respect to the bottom portion 91 is formed inside each side wall portion 92. The separation distance (interval) of the inclined surfaces 921 of the side wall portions 92 facing each other gradually increases upward.

Further, the ink absorber 1 includes a detaching structure portion 7 for detaching the ink absorber 10 from the container body 9. In the present embodiment, the detached structure portion 7 is composed of these inclined surfaces 921. As a result, the replacement work of the ink absorber 10 described later can be easily performed, and the workability thereof is improved.

The inclination angle of each inclined surface 921 is constant along the vertical direction in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, but is not limited to this, and may change, for example, along the vertical direction.

Further, the inclined surface 921 as the detached structure portion 7 is preferably provided on all the side wall portions 92, but is not limited to this, and may be provided on some side wall portions 92.

Next, the process of replacing the ink absorber 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the ink absorber 1 is continuously used, that is, the ink absorber 10 is made to absorb the ink Q intermittently or continuously, eventually, the ink absorber 10 is used. Reachs the absorption limit of ink Q. In this case, it is preferable to replace the used ink absorber 10 with a new unused ink absorber 10.

When performing this replacement work, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the tube 203 is removed from the ink supply port 81 of the ink absorber 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 8 is detached from the container body 9. Since the lid 8 is in a state of being lightly fitted to the upper opening 94 of the container body 9 as described above, the work of detaching from the container body 9 can be easily performed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the container body 9 is turned upside down. As a result, the used ink absorber 10 can be separated from the container body 9. Further, in the container main body 9, the separation distance (distance) between the side wall portions 92 facing each other is gradually increased toward the upper opening portion 94 side by the inclined surface 921 (separation structure portion 7). As a result, the ink absorber 10 can be easily detached from the container body 9. The detached ink absorber 10 is discarded.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, a new unused ink absorber 10 is prepared, the ink absorber 10 is stored in the container body 9, and the lid 8 is attached to the container body 9 for assembly. As a result, a reusable ink absorber 1 is obtained.

As described above, the ink absorber 1 is used by the detaching structure portion 7 when it is desired to replace the used ink absorber 10 that has reached the absorption limit of ink Q with a new unused ink absorber 10. The finished ink absorber 10 can be easily detached from the container body 9. Then, the unused ink absorber 10 can be stored in the empty container body 9, and the ink absorber 1 can be reused. As described above, the ink absorber 1 can easily replace the ink absorber 10, and thus the workability thereof can be improved.

Further, in the present invention (the present embodiment), the detachment structure portion 7 assists the removal of the ink absorber 10 when the ink absorber 10 is taken out (removed) from the container body 9 (storage portion). You can also say "7'". As a result, the used ink absorber 10 can be easily taken out, and then the used ink absorber 10 can be replaced with a new ink absorber 10.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of an ink absorber included in the ink absorber (second embodiment) of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the ink absorber of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted.

The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the ink absorber is different.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the water-absorbent resin 30 is present in the middle of the fiber base material 230 in the thickness direction. That is, the water-absorbent resin 30 is dispersed in the fiber base material 230. As a result, the ink Q can be held (absorbed) on the central portion side in the thickness direction of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, and thus the holding state of the ink Q can be maintained for a long period of time. Further, it is possible to prevent the water-absorbent resin 30 from falling off (detachment) from the fiber base material 230.

The water-absorbent resin 30 may be uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction, or may be unevenly distributed on the front surface 210 or the back surface 220 of the fiber base material 230.

Further, the combination with the configuration shown in FIG. 4, that is, the water-absorbent resin 30 is present (adhered) to at least one surface side (front surface 210 and back surface 220) of the fiber base material 230. You may.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the ink absorber (third embodiment) of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the ink absorber of the present invention will be described with reference to this figure, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the detached structure portion (auxiliary structure portion) is different.

As described above, the container main body 9 (storage portion) has a bottom portion 91 and a side wall portion 92 erected from the bottom portion 91.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the detached structure portion 7 (auxiliary structure portion 7') is provided inside each side wall portion 92 of the container body 9, and is an ink absorber from the container body 9 (storage portion). It is composed of a low friction layer 71 that reduces friction with the ink absorber 10 when the 10 is detached. As a result, the ink absorber 10 can be easily detached from the container body 9, and thus can be easily replaced with a new ink absorber 10.

The low friction material constituting the low friction layer 71 is not particularly limited, and for example, various resin materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene can be used.

Further, the low friction layer 71 may be composed of, for example, a coating film formed by applying the constituent material to the side wall portion 92, or a film made of the constituent material may be bonded to the side wall portion 92. It may be the one that has been done.

Further, the low friction layer 71 is preferably provided on all the side wall portions 92, but is not limited to this, and may be provided on some side wall portions 92.

Further, the inclined surface 921 described in the first embodiment may be formed on the side wall portion 92. In this case, it is preferable that the low friction layer 71 is formed on the inclined surface 921.

<Fourth Embodiment>
9 to 14 are vertical cross-sectional views showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fourth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber, respectively.

Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the ink absorber of the present invention will be described with reference to these figures, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted.

This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the detached structure portion (auxiliary structure portion) is different.

As shown in FIGS. 9 to 14, in the present embodiment, the detached structure portion 7 (auxiliary structure portion 7') is a mounting portion in which a plurality of ink absorbers 10 are stacked and placed collectively. It has a grip portion 73 that is connected to the mounting portion 72 and is gripped when the ink absorber 10 is detached from the container body 9 (storage portion).

The mounting portion 72 has a plate shape and is arranged so as to overlap the bottom portion 91 in the container main body 9. Then, a plurality of ink absorbers 10 can be collectively mounted on the mounting portion 72 in a state of being stacked.

The grip portion 73 is composed of a protruding portion formed so as to project upward from the central portion of the mounting portion 72. The grip portion 73 has a columnar shape in which the outer diameter (cross-sectional shape) gradually decreases upward, that is, a conical shape in the present embodiment. As a result, the grip portion 73 is in a state of being pierced into the ink absorber 10 from below, and the engaging force with the ink absorber 10 increases. As a result, positioning is performed in the container body 9. Further, the grip portion 73 inserts the plurality of ink absorbers 10 in the stacked state, and the top portion 731 is exposed from the ink absorber 10.

As will be described later, when the ink absorber 10 is detached from the container body 9 (storage portion), the detaching structure portion 7 having such a configuration grips the grip portion 73 and pulls out the ink as it is. It can be separated from the container body 9 (storage portion) together with the absorber 10. As a result, the ink absorber 10 can be easily replaced.

The grip portion 73 may be integrally formed with the mounting portion 72, or may be formed as a separate body from the mounting portion 72, and this separate body may be joined to the mounting portion 72. There may be.

Further, the number of protrusions forming the grip portion 73 is not limited to one in the present embodiment, but may be two or more, for example.

By the way, the ink absorber 10 expands once after absorbing the ink Q, and then dries over time. Then, the ink absorber 10 shrinks only in this dry portion. At this time, the ink absorber 10 tends to shrink from the portion in contact with the container main body 9, that is, from the side wall portion 92 side of the container main body 9 (see FIG. 10). The shrunk ink absorber 10 has a gap 101 between it and the side wall portion 92. Depending on the size of the gap 101, the ink absorber 10 tends to move easily in the container body 9 due to vibration during printing by the printing device 200, for example, and as a result, the ink absorber 10 is not located at the drop position of the ink Q. There is a risk of becoming. In this case, there is a concern that the ink absorber 10 may not be able to absorb the ink Q quickly, or may not be able to sufficiently absorb the ink Q.

Therefore, the ink absorber 1 is configured to eliminate such a problem. Hereinafter, this configuration and operation will be described.

As described above, each ink absorber 10 shrinks as the water content decreases, that is, it shrinks when it dries after absorbing the ink Q.

Further, the grip portion 73 is inserted into a plurality of ink absorbers 10 at once and is in contact with each ink absorber 10, and is in a state of being engaged with each ink absorber 10 (hereinafter, this state is referred to as "engagement". It is called "state").

Then, the shrunk ink absorber 10 has a gap 101 between it and the side wall portion 92, and is likely to move easily in the container body 9, but the grip portion 73 is in an engaged state. Movement within the container body 9 is suppressed (regulated). The grip portion 73 has a function of suppressing the movement of the ink absorber 10 in the container body 9 (storage portion) due to the shrinkage of the ink absorber 10 before the ink absorber 10 is detached from the container body 9 (storage portion). .. As a result, the ink absorber 10 can continue to be located at the drop position of the ink Q even if it shrinks, so that the ink Q can be absorbed quickly and sufficiently.

As described above, the grip portion 73 is inserted into the ink absorber 10 and comes into contact with the ink absorber 10. The grip portion 73 is located on an extension of the supply direction (falling direction) in which the ink Q is supplied from the ink supply port 81. Further, the top portion 731 of the grip portion 73 is exposed from the ink absorber 10. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink Q supplied from the ink supply port 81 can be guided to the inner side of the ink absorber 10 through the outer peripheral portion 732 of the grip portion 73. As described above, the grip portion 73 has a liquid guiding function of guiding the ink Q to the ink absorber 10 in a state before the ink absorber 10 is detached from the container body 9 (storage portion). As a result, the ink Q can be sufficiently absorbed (penetrated) to the inner side of the ink absorber 10, and thus the ink absorbing function of the ink absorber 10 can be exhibited in just proportion over a long period of time.

Next, the process of replacing the ink absorber 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

As shown in FIG. 11, the tube 203 is removed from the ink supply port 81 of the ink absorber 1 and the lid 8 is detached from the container body 9.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the top portion 731 side of the grip portion 73 is gripped and pulled out as it is upward. As a result, the detaching structure portion 7 can be detached from the container body 9 together with the ink absorber 10. Further, at this time, since the gap 101 is formed between the ink absorber 10 and the side wall portion 92 of the container body 9, the detaching structure portion 7 can be smoothly pulled out.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the detached structure portion 7 is turned upside down. As a result, the used ink absorber 10 can be detached from the detaching structure portion 7.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of new unused ink absorbers 10 are prepared, and these ink absorbers 10 are placed on the mounting portion 72 while being pierced into the grip portion 73. Then, the ink absorber 10 is housed in the container body 9 together with the detached structure portion 7, and the lid 8 is attached to the container body 9 for assembly. As a result, a reusable ink absorber 1 is obtained.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the detachment structure portion 7 is configured so that the ink absorber 10 can be detached from the container body 9 (storage portion) and collected (moved). As a result, for example, when the container body 9 is relatively heavy and it is difficult to turn the container body 9 upside down when the ink absorber 10 is detached as in the first embodiment, the detaching structure portion 7 is carried out. With the configuration like the form, the ink absorber 10 can be easily detached.

Further, in the present embodiment, the used ink absorber 10 is separated from the detaching structure portion 7 and discarded, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the used ink absorber 10 may be discarded together with the detached structure portion 7 without detaching from the detached structure portion 7. In this case, it is preferable that the unused ink absorber 10 is placed in the detaching structure portion 7 in advance, and the detaching structure portion 7 is housed in the container main body 9, that is, loaded.

Further, the inclined surface 921 described in the first embodiment may be formed on the side wall portion 92. In this case, the low friction layer 71 described in the third embodiment may be formed on the inclined surface 921.

<Fifth Embodiment>
15 to 17 are vertical cross-sectional views showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (fifth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber, respectively.

Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the ink absorber of the present invention will be described with reference to these figures, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted.

This embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment except that the configuration of the detached structure portion (auxiliary structure portion) is different.

As described above, the lid 8 constituting the storage portion for accommodating the ink absorber 10 together with the container main body 9 has an ink supply port 81 for supplying ink Q inside the container main body 9.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, in the present embodiment, the grip portion 73 has a tubular shape. The grip portion 73 is located in the storage space 93 before the ink absorber 10 is separated from the container body 9 (storage unit), and the ink Q supplied in the storage space 93 is used as the container body 9. It is a liquid guide tube that forms a liquid guide space 733 that leads to the bottom 91 of the (storage part). Further, the grip portion 73 is located on an extension line in the supply direction in which the ink Q is supplied from the ink supply port 81, and the upper opening portion 734 is open facing the ink supply port 81. The ink Q supplied from the ink supply port 81 by such a grip portion 73 passes through the grip portion 73, that is, the liquid guide space 733, through the upper opening 734, and passes through the bottom portion 91 of the container body 9. It will be guided to the side quickly and smoothly.

When the ink absorber 10 absorbs the ink Q, it is preferable that the ink Q reaches the innermost side of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, that is, the bottom 91 side, and absorbs the ink Q from there. As a result, the ink Q can be permeated through the entire plurality of ink absorbers 10 in the container body 9 as much as possible, and thus these ink absorbers 10 can be used without waste. Therefore, the configuration including the grip portion 73 that functions as the liquid guide tube is suitable for achieving such an effect.

Further, the ink absorber 10 has a property of expanding when absorbing ink and shrinking when it dries. The grip portion 73 has a rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation due to repeated expansion and contraction. As a result, the ink Q can be stably guided to the bottom 91 side of the container body 9 in a stable manner for a long period of time.

A communication portion 736 that communicates the liquid guide space 733 and the storage space 93 is formed in the pipe wall 735 of the grip portion 73 that is the liquid guide tube. In the present embodiment, the communication portion 736 is composed of a plurality of small holes 737 formed through the pipe wall 735. These small holes 737 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 73 (tube wall 735), and may be along the central axial direction of the grip portion 73 (vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 3). Arranged at intervals. The spacing along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 73 and the spacing along the central axis direction of the grip portion 73 may be the same or different.

For example, depending on the amount of ink Q supplied from the ink supply port 81 and the magnitude of the supply speed, the ink Q further flows down through the liquid guide space 733 (flows into the diffusion space 41) in the liquid guide space 733. It may stay temporarily. In this case, the retained amount is absorbed by the ink absorber 10 through at least one small hole 737 among the plurality of small holes 737. As a result, the retention of the ink Q in the liquid guide space 733 can be suppressed, and thus the ink Q can be quickly and sufficiently absorbed.

The number of small holes 737 formed along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 73 is four in this embodiment. In this case, it is preferable that each of the four small holes 737 faces the side wall portion 92 of the container body 9.

The number of small holes 737 formed along the circumferential direction of the grip portion 73 is not limited to four in the present embodiment, and may be, for example, two, three, or five or more. ..

Further, the shape of each small hole 737 is circular in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape such as a quadrangle.

Further, what constitutes the communication portion 736 is not limited to the small hole 737, and may be, for example, a slit.

As shown in FIG. 15, the ink absorber 1 communicates with the liquid guide space 733 and diffuses the ink Q that has passed through the liquid guide space 733 from the bottom portion 91 of the container body 9 along the side wall portion 92. The diffusion portion 4 forming the 41 is provided. As a result, the ink Q can flow into the liquid guide space 733 from the bottom portion 91 and the side wall portion 92 side of the container body 9, and thus the ink absorber 10 can further quickly and sufficiently absorb the ink Q. .. As described above, the ink absorber 1 is configured to be able to absorb the ink Q from multiple directions.

The diffusion portion 4 has a partition wall portion 42 that separates the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93, and a support portion 44 that supports the partition wall portion 42 with respect to the container main body 9. The partition wall portion 42 is composed of a first partition wall 421 facing the bottom 91 of the container body 9 via a gap, and a second partition wall 422 facing each side wall portion 92 via a gap. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 72 also serves as the first partition wall 421. The space between the bottom portion 91 and the first partition wall 421 and the spaces between the side wall portion 92 and the second partition wall 422 communicate with each other to form a diffusion space 41.

Further, a communication portion (second communication portion) 43 that communicates the diffusion space 41 and the storage space 93 is formed in the partition wall portion 42, that is, the first partition wall 421 and each second partition wall 422. The communication portion 43 is composed of a plurality of small holes 431 formed through the partition wall portion 42. These small holes 431 are uniformly arranged in the surface direction of each partition wall. The ink Q diffused in the diffusion space 41 by the communication portion 43 composed of the small holes 431 flows into the liquid guide space 733 from any of the small holes 431, and then the ink absorber 10 is rapidly generated. Will be absorbed by. In particular, the small holes 431 formed in the first partition wall 421 can preferentially absorb the ink Q from the inner side of the ink absorber 10 as much as possible, which is a preferable configuration for ink absorption. The arrangement density of the small holes 431 in the first partition wall 421 and the arrangement density of the small holes 431 in each of the second partition walls 422 may be the same or different.

The support portion 44 is arranged between the side wall portion 92 and the second partition wall 422 and connects them. As a result, the partition wall portion 42 can be supported with respect to the container body 9, and thus the diffusion space 41 can be secured.

Next, the process of detaching the ink absorber 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

As shown in FIG. 16, the lid 8 from which the tube 203 has been removed is detached from the container body 9.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the upper opening 734 side of the grip portion 73 is gripped and pulled out as it is upward. As a result, the detaching structure portion 7 can be detached from the container body 9 together with the ink absorber 10.

After that, as described above, if the used ink absorber 10 is detached from the detaching structure portion 7 and replaced with the unused ink absorber 10, a reusable ink absorber 1 can be obtained.

<Sixth Embodiment>
18 to 20 are vertical cross-sectional views showing in order the process from the usage state of the ink absorber (sixth embodiment) of the present invention to the replacement of the ink absorber, respectively. 21 is an enlarged detailed view of an ink absorber included in the ink absorbers shown in FIGS. 18 to 20.

Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment of the ink absorber of the present invention will be described with reference to these figures, but the differences from the above-described embodiments will be mainly described, and the same matters will be omitted.

This embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment except that the configuration of the detached structure portion (auxiliary structure portion) is different.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, in the present embodiment, the ink absorber 10 has a cotton-like shape as a whole. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, when the ink absorber 10 is enlarged, the ink absorber 10 has the fibers 20 entwined with each other and the water-absorbent resin 30 attached (supported) to the fibers 20. Includes. The fibers 20 are preferably bonded to each other via a binder (not shown). Such a cotton-like ink absorber 10 has enhanced ink absorbency and can promote the absorption of ink Q.

Further, in the present embodiment, the detached structure portion 7 (auxiliary structure portion 7') is housed in the container body 9 (storage section) together with the ink absorber 10 in a state where the ink absorber 10 is housed in the inner storage section 74. have. As shown in FIG. 20, when the ink absorber 10 is detached from the container body 9 (accommodation portion), the inner accommodating portion 74 can be detached from the container body 9 (storage portion) together with the ink absorber 10. As a result, the ink absorber 10 can be easily replaced.

In the present embodiment, the inner storage portion 74 is made of a bag body that is softer than the container body 9, but is not limited to this, and is, for example, made of a hard box body like the container body 9. You may.

Next, the process of detaching the ink absorber 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

As shown in FIG. 19, the lid 8 from which the tube 203 has been removed is detached from the container body 9.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the edge portion 741 on the upper portion of the inner storage portion 74 (bag body) is grasped and pulled out as it is upward. As a result, the inner storage portion 74 can be separated from the container main body 9 together with the ink absorber 10.

After that, if the inner storage portion 74 in which the unused ink absorber 10 is stored in advance is stored in the container main body 9, a reusable ink absorber 1 can be obtained.

Although the ink absorber of the present invention has been described above with respect to the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and each part constituting the ink absorber has an arbitrary configuration capable of exhibiting the same function. Can be replaced with one. Further, any component may be added.

Further, the ink absorber of the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) in each of the above embodiments.

Further, the ink absorber is in the form of a sheet in the first to fifth embodiments and in the form of a cotton in the sixth embodiment, but the ink absorber is not limited to this, and is not limited to the first embodiment. It may be in the shape of a small piece (strip shape) smaller than the sheet shape described in the embodiments to the fifth embodiment.

1 ... Ink absorber, 4 ... Diffusing part, 41 ... Diffusing space, 42 ... Partition part, 421 ... First partition wall, 422 ... Second partition wall, 43 ... Communication part (second communication part), 431 ... Small hole, 44 ... Support part, 7 ... Detachment structure part, 7'... Auxiliary structure part, 71 ... Low friction layer, 72 ... Placement part, 73 ... Grip part, 731 ... Top, 732 ... Outer peripheral part, 733 ... Liquid guide space, 734 ... upper opening, 735 ... tube wall, 736 ... communication part, 737 ... small hole, 74 ... inner storage part, 741 ... edge, 8 ... lid, 81 ... ink supply port, 9 ... container body, 91 ... bottom (Bottom plate), 92 ... Side wall, 921 ... Inclined surface (tapered surface), 93 ... Storage space, 94 ... Upper opening, 95 ... Void, 10 ... Ink absorber, 101 ... Gap, 20 ... Fiber, 210 ... Front side Surface, 220 ... Back surface, 230 ... Fiber substrate, 240 ... Through hole, 30 ... Water-absorbent resin, 200 ... Printing device, 201 ... Ink ejection head, 201a ... Nozzle, 202 ... Capping unit, 203 ... Tube, 203a ... Discharge port (opening), 204 ... Roller pump, 204a ... Roller part, 204b ... Holding part, Q ... Ink, V1 ... Volume, V2 ... Total volume

Claims (2)

An ink absorber that can absorb ink and
A storage unit for storing the ink absorber and
A detachable structure portion for detaching the ink absorber from the storage portion is provided .
The storage portion has a bottom portion and a side wall portion erected from the bottom portion.
The detaching structure portion is provided inside the side wall portion, and is characterized by being formed of a low friction layer that reduces friction with the ink absorber when the ink absorber is detached from the storage portion. Ink absorber. The ink absorber according to claim 1 , wherein the ink absorber contains a water-absorbent resin.

Images